My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer

is

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into

on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before

hearing that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little

the ‘Happy

must close her eyes and make a

Rachel must blow

her head to indicate to Julian that

unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the

wasn’t even

under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and

say thank you!” their

dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first

right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point,

topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you

she turned and headed toward the

inside her apartment and about to

the door was propped open by

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by

on business?

the house and shut the door before surveying

see you’ve been getting along

she took two steps back. Why are you

pulled

suppose you wouldn’t

her, forcing her back inch

had no idea what

and pulled, she staggered after